SPORT

SundaySunday 1166 JuJulyl 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Hamilton Villarreal loan Federer faces storms to Qatar’s Afif to Cilic for 8th record-tying polee Kas Eupen Wimbledon title Muguruza is Wimbledon champ

LondonLondon tension-filled set points in ReRReutersutu ere s GARBINE MUGURUZA the 10th game, the first of I’ll be back, PATH TO WIMBLEDON TITLE which saw the Spaniard arbineaarbinne MMugu-uuguu- emerge with a clenched ruzarruza clinchedclinncchhed a 1st1 st r rd:d Beat Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) 6-2, 6-4 fist from an epic 19-shot maidenmaiddene Wim-Wimm- 2nd rd:rdr BeatYanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-2, 6-4 rally. vows Venus blbledonededoon titletitllee It was then her turn to 3rd3rd rd:rdd Beat Sorana Cirstea (ROM) 6-2, 6-2 yesterdayyey stere day withwwiitth go on the offensive. She London Ga stunningstunningg 7-5,7-5- , 6-6-00 ddedemo-emmoo- 4th4th rd:rdd Beat Angelique Kerber (GER x1) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 crafted her third break AFP litionlition ofof VenusVennuus Williams,WWillliiammss, Quarter-final:Quartet Beat Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x7) 6-3, 6-4 point of the set when whosewhose dreadreamsmss ooff a fafairytaleaiirytaale Semi-final:Semi- Beat Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 6-1, 6-1 Venus netted a forehand enus Williams vowed to make victory at tthehe ageaggee ofof 377 wereweere Final:Final: BeatVenus Williams (USA x10) 7-5, 6-0 and took her chance when amends for her Wimbledon final blownblown aapartpart in a ddevastat-evasttaat-t the American sent a sec- Vheartache by ending a bittersweet iningg sesecondeccond sset.et. ond forehand long after year on a high at the US Open. AfterAAfter somesoome tenseteennse earlyearly “Two years ago I lost in the another lengthy exchange. Williams failed in her bid to become exchanges,exchanngeg s, tthehe SSpaniardpap niniaard cucutt loosloose,e, final to Serena and she told me She took the first set when the oldest Grand Slam champion in the winningwwinning nininene sstraighttrraaigght gagamesmes to one day I was going to maybe win Venus netted a backhand and Open era as the American star was crushed claimcllaaim a secondssecond grandgraandn sslamlam tititletle to and hey, two years after here I then put her foot to the floor with 7-5, 6-0 by Garbine Muguruza in yester- addaaddd to llastast yyear’sear’s FFrenchrencn h OpOOpen.en. am,” she said in a courtside astonishing brutality. day’s title match. TheThe 23-year-old233-yeae r-old fellfeell toto floorfloor interview. She broke on three straight Instead of celebrating her sixth Wim- inin celebrationcelelebrrationn afterafterer clinchingclinncchhinng vic-vic- When asked if she had a mes- occasions in the second set as bledon title, and first major trophy since torytot ry iinn an hhourour anandd 17 sage for her coach Sam Sumyk, Venus seemed to hit a mental and 2008, the 37-year-old trudged off Centre minutes.minutes. It wawass heherr who is absent as his wife is physical wall. Court looking her age for virtually the first secondsecond WWimbledonimbledon expecting a baby, she held the tro- When the five-times winner time in her unexpected 2017 renaissance. final,final, havinghaving lostlost phy aloft and said: “Here it is.” could barely get her racket to a Venus, beaten by sister Serena in the to VVenus’senus’s ssis-is- In the first women’s final vicious forehand, it gave the Australian Open final in January, has terter SSerenaerena oonn played under the Centre Court Spaniard three match points, but reached the two Grand Slams finals in the thethe sasameme roof, a high-quality first set grad- in keeping with a messy second same year for the first time since 2003. sstagetage in ually built towards a captivating set, she needed two Hawk-eye Given her battle with the autoimmune 2015.2015. conclusion. It included several challenges to put the beleaguered disease that leaves her fatigued and once tests of nerve for the battling American out of her misery. threatened to end her career, Venus’s Spaniard, who showed an almost As the scoreboard showed the return to prominence is a tribute to her iron will not to give an inch even ball had bounced out at 40-30, ferocious will to win. as Venus upped the aggression she dropped her racket and fell With Serena set to miss the rest of the levels with ferocious intent. to the ground, before covering her year as she prepares to have her first child, Muguruza saved three break face in an emotional Venus will still be among the favourites to points, which included two celebration. win her eighth Grand Slam title when the US Open gets underway in late August. “I’m in good form. I’ve been in a posi- tion a lot of times this year to contend for big titles,” Venus said. “That’s the kind of position I want to keep putting myself in. It’s just about get- ting over the line. I believe I can do that. “This is where you want to be. I like to win. I don’t want to just get to a final. It’s just about playing a little better. “I’ve had a great two weeks. I’m look- ing forward to the rest of the summer.” Twenty years after making her Wim- bledon debut, Venus isn’t keen to bow out on such a frustrating low note. Spain’s Garbine Muguruza poses for photographs with the trophy as she Asked if she would return next year, celebrates winning the 2017 Wimbledon final against Venus Williams of the US she said: “Presumably, yes. at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London yesterday. “It took a lot of effort to get right here Muguruza won 7-5, 6-0. RIGHT: Muguruza is congratulated by Venus Williams. today. So this is where I want to be every single major. Qatari cagers all set to take on Atlas Challenge in China

The Peninsula with the likes Europe, China and USA,” Malki said. he Qatar national bas- Discussing the draw, Malki TEAM QATAR FOR ATLAS ketball team will take said, “It is a terrible draw but BASKETBALL CHALLENGE T part in the third Atlas it’s not important. We are not Basketball Challenge to be concentrating on that rather Ahmad Al Darwish, Nasser Al Rayes, held in Suzhou in the suburbs it’s a chance for our capped Mohammed Youssuf, Mohamed Er- of Shanghai, China following players to develop collec- fan Saeed, Mansour Elhadary, Ab- an invitation by the Chinese tively, find rhythm and dulraham Al Muftah, Mohamed Ab- Basketball Association. cohesion that will ultimately delazziz, Abdullah Matalkeh, The tournament will be lead to a winning formula Mohammed Hassan Mohammed, held from July 18 to 23. before the FWC2019 Abdulrahman Abdelhaleem, Abdul- The 14-member Qatari qualifiers”. rahman Saad, Sammy Monroe, team was named on Thurs- National Head Coach Omar Salem, Raslan Al Abdulla, day night after four weeks of Qusay Khalaf is pleased with Qusay Hatem Khalaf (Head coach), intense training. his team’s selection and con- Qatar Basketball Federa- curs with Malki saying “We Yasser Abdelwahab (Assistant tion (QBF) General Secretary have chosen the best players coach) and Khalid Sulaiman (Team Ali Malki said: “Our team is based on performance. The Qatari player Abdulrahman Saad dribbles manager). much younger than usual Atlas challenge is a good step- during a match in this file photo. therefore it’s important to ping stone and warm up for expose our players to global the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon meets. Though this tourna- next month and the WC qual- Australia, China and Europe opportunity all my life. It was alongside Belarus, Ukraine ment does not affect rankings, ifiers in November”. and hopefully the boys can my dream to represent Qatar and Iran. it does provide a platform for “Although the competition bring home much experi- but I couldn’t do it before The Atlas Challenge sees international competition and is in its infancy it provides a ence,” Khalaf said. because I was committed to eight teams competing over six I’ve been waiting for this at the completion of the tour- high level of playing stand- Rising star - forward my studies and college bas- days at the Suzhou Sports Cen- opportunity all my life. It was nament we can assess our ards. My team is very youthful Nasser Rayes who recently ketball in the US,” Rayes said. tre and the Dushu Lake Arena. my dream to represent Qatar, level”. but they have great spirit and arrived from the US, feels Qatar has drawn in group Qatar will meet Lithuania says Nasser Al Rayes “We thank the Chinese I like that in them. They will overwhelmed at the opportu- B of the challenge along with in their first match which will Basketball Association for be exposed to prime basket- nity of playing for his Australia, Lithuania and USA. be played on Tuesday, fol- their invitation and we are ball athletes from the best in country. While FIBA World Cup 2019 lowed by USA (July 19) and excited about participating the world including USA, “I’ve been waiting for this host China is in group A Australia (July 20). SPORT SUNDAY 16 JULY 2017 21 Hamilton storms to record-tying pole

Silverstone BRITISH GRAND PRIX GRID Reuters 1st row Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) ewis Hamilton took Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) pole position for his 2nd row home British Grand Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) Prix for the third year Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) in a row yesterday with 3rd row La sensational lap that left him Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) one step away from Michael Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) Schumacher's Formula One 4th row record. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) Hamilton's championship- Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) leading Ferrari rival Sebastian 5th row Vettel, who has a 20-point Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) advantage after nine of 20 races, Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) qualified third. 6th row The Mercedes driver was half Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) a second quicker than Ferrari's Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) second placed Kimi Raikkonen 7th row and his time of one minute Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) 26.600 seconds was so outra- Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) geously quick there were gasps 8th row before the crowd erupted. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) "I always try to leave the best Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) to last," the Briton told retired 9th row champion Jenson Button in post- Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) qualifying interviews on the grid. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) "I had to make sure I got that Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (front) drives during the qualifying 10th row

lap in. I couldn't do it last week- session at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull)

England yesterday. Inset: Hamilton signs autographs for fans. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) end (in Austria) so I made sure I could here." Hamilton still faced a nerv- ous wait after race stewards was the 67th of his career, sixth Yesterday ensured he has Hamilton's Finnish team- and his former Force India team That was the first time he had announced they were investigat- of the season, and gave him already matched Clark's mate Valtteri Bottas, winner in mate Sergio Perez filled the third outqualified Alonso, who has a ing an incident involving French every chance of equalling Schu- 50-year-old record of five Brit- Austria, was fourth fastest but row. 30-place grid penalty, and will driver Romain Grosjean, who macher's record 68 before the ish Grand Prix pole positions. has a five-place penalty follow- There was good news for move up a place thanks to Bot- complained he had been blocked August break. "I feel amazing in front of a ing a gearbox change. beleaguered McLaren, who tas's drop. earlier in the session. The triple world champion great crowd like this. I hope you That promoted Red Bull's raised a cheer when Fernando Australian Daniel Ricciardo, a They swiftly decided to take has won the last three British liked the lap," Hamilton told the Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, Alonso made the most of improv- winner in Azerbaijan in June, will no further action. Grands Prix and can equal the grandstands full of cheering fans. who has suffered five retire- ing conditions to set the fastest join Alonso at the rear after a gear- The Briton's mastery of a late Jim Clark's feat of four home "I generally like it to be dry ments in the last seven races, to time in the first phase of quali- box penalty followed by the car damp but drying track lit up an wins in a row, and five in total, but I like it when the conditions the second row. fying, with Belgian Stoffel halting on track in the first phase overcast afternoon and the pole on Sunday. are tricky." Renault's Nico Hulkenberg Vandoorne qualifying ninth. and bringing out the red flags. Ricciardo set for five-place penalty

Silverstone Azerbaijan in late June and fin- leads Mercedes' Lewis Hamil- sessions, is set to be handed a Reuters ished third in Austria two ton by 20 points after nine of five-place grid penalty forto- weeks ago. 20 races. Hamilton, who had day's race after an unscheduled aniel Ricciardo's run of It was his second grid pen- a five-place drop in Austria, is gearbox change. five successive podium alty of the season, after a chasing his fourth successive The Finn, who won last Dplaces looks in danger similar five-place drop in his British Grand Prix win and fifth Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix of ending after the gearbox on home race in Melbourne in in total. after Mercedes team-mate his car was replaced ahead of March. He started from the pit There has been increasing Lewis Hamilton received a the British Grand Prix, incur- lane on that occasion and debate this season about the five-place penalty for the same ring an automatic five-place failed to finish the race. fairness of penalising a driver offence, will be unable to claim grid penalty. Mercedes rival Valtteri for mechanical problems pole position if he is fastest Gearboxes must last for six Bottas, who won in Austria beyond his control, although again in qualifying on Satur- races and the one in Ric- from pole position, also has a Formula One has always been day. A team spokesperson ciardo's Red Bull, which was five-place penalty for Sunday's a team sport. confirmed the likely sanction swapped out before Saturday's race after a similar gearbox Meanwhile, Valtteri Bot- late Friday after a dominant final practice, had not done so. change. tas, who was fastest in both of Bottas had excelled during Daniel Ricciardo The Australian won in Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel Friday's opening practice practice at Silverstone. Valtteri Bottas

NFL: Thomas Matthews wins 14th stage, Froome retakes yellow gets four-game Rodez front of the peloton in a rapid last AFP 10km. doping ban Froome did, though, and was ustralian Michael Mat- in the right place when the sprint New York thews won the 14th stage for the line started in the last 600 AFP Aof the Tour de France yes- metres. terday as Chris Froome retook The Briton finished seventh, os Angeles Rams the yellow jersey from Fabio Aru. just a second behind Matthews, receiver Mike Thomas Matthews won comfortably while Aru was well down, 25 sec- Lwas suspended without ahead of Olympic champion onds further adrift. pay Friday by the NFL for four Greg Van Avermaet in the tough Froome now leads the race games in the upcoming sea- uphill sprint finish to the 181.5km by 19sec from Aru with Romain son for violating the NFL stage from Blagnac to Rodez, Bardet third at 23sec having also policy on performance with Norway's Edvald Boasson lost four seconds to Froome in enhancing substances. Hagen third. the finish, although gained two Thomas will miss the But Aru was caught out well on the yellow jersey. Rams' first four games of the down in the peloton as gaps Of the overall contenders, 2017 campaign – home appeared in the finale, allowing only Rigoberto Uran and Dan games September 10 against reigning champion Froome to Martin stuck with Froome. Indianapolis and September retake the jersey he'd lost to the Uran remains fourth but 17 against Washington and Italian on Thursday. closed in to 29sec off the lead, road games September 21 at In this type of finish, posi- with Martin also gaining six San Francisco and October 1 tioning is crucial and Aru failed seconds and now at 1:26 in at Dallas. to manouevre himself to the sixth, just behind Froome's Sky The 22-year-old second- year player would be eligible TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 14 RESULTS to return to the roster on Australia's Michael Matthews celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Belgium's Greg 1. Michael Matthews (Australia / Team Sunweb) 4:21:56" October 2 ahead of an Octo- Van Avermaet at the end of the 181,5 km fourteenth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour ber 8 home game against 2. Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium / BMC Racing Team) ST de France cycling race yesterday between Blagnac and Rodez. Seattle. Thomas can take part 3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Team Dimension Data) +1" in all pre-season practices 4. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Quick-Step Floors) team-mate Mikel Landa at 1:17. overall victory after winning the overall contention and when he and games. 5. Jay McCarthy (Australia / BORA-hansgrohe) Meanwhile, Tour de France chief pre-Tour warm-up event, was dropped early on Friday by No specifics regarding 6. Sonny Colbrelli (Italy / Bahrain-Merida) leader Fabio Aru's task in hold- the Criterium du Dauphine in the peloton, he decided to call it substances were revealed 7. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) ing onto the yellow jersey June. And he was sitting fifth quits. regarding what Thomas took suffered a blow on Friday as overall before a crash on "It's a big loss for me and the under NFL policy citing med- 8. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step Floors) key team-mate Jakob Fuglsang Wednesday in which he suffered whole team," admitted Aru, who ical privacy rules. Thomas

9. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) quit the race. two fractures to his arm. He had already seen another team- made three catches for 37 10. Tiesj Benoot (Belgium / Lotto-Soudal) +5" Denmark's Fuglsang was struggled badly on Thursday's mate in Dario Cataldo crash out yards over 15 games last sea- expected to challenge for Pyrenean stage, falling out of on Wednesday. son for the Rams. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 16 JULY 2017

Shahania sign Spanish coach Proteas take command after Jose Bibi

Doha QNA England collapse on day two l Shahania sports Club has agreed a one-year Nottingham James Anderson claimed the Adeal with Spanish Reuters of Vernon Philander, the coach Jose Bibi Murcia, to bowlers had the edge under- lead the team in the next outh Africa took a firm neath grey skies on a pitch that season. grip on the second Test responded to seam and spin. The Spanish coach has led at Trent Bridge after a The fast bowler mopped up many clubs in European see-saw second day in the tail with a devastating spell leagues, like the Bulgarian which 15 tum- of 4-4 in little more than half- club Leski Sofia and other Sbled and the fragility of England’s an-hour to dismiss South Africa clubs in the Spanish league, fragile top-order batting was for 335. such as Albacete and Celta brutally exposed yesterday. But South Africa’s attack Vigo, as well as the second The touring side reached proved equally potent, with team of Atletico Madrid. 75-1 in their second innings at seamer Chris Morris and spin- Al Shahania relegated to the close, a lead of 205, with ner Keshav Maharaj picking up the second division in the last Dean Elgar (38 ) and three wickets apiece. season. Hashim Amla (23 not out) bring- Only Joe Root provided real The management of the ing some order to the final hour resistance, rallying his side after club is seeking to strengthen and ensuring their team are Philander and Morne Morkel the team with a number of well-placed to force the victory removed both openers to reduce players in order to have the that would level the four-match England to 3-2. ability to return to the Qatar series at 1-1. England’s is never Stars League, although the South Africa began the day inclined to sit back and let the competition will not be easy, on 309-6 in their first innings bowlers dominate and he especially in the presence of and from the first over, in which responded with an impressive teams such as Al Wakrah and Al Shamal. SCOREBOARD South Africa (I innings): J Root c de Kock b Morkel ...... 78 D Elgar c Dawson b Anderson ...... 6 J Bairstow b Maharaj ...... 45 Villarreal H Kuhn b Broad ...... 34 B Stokes c de Kock b Maharaj ...... 0 H Amla c Wood b Broad ...... 78 M Ali c du Plessis b Morris ...... 18 Q de Kock c Cook b Broad ...... 68 L Dawson c Amla b Maharaj ...... 13 South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj (centre) celebrates bowling England’s Jonny Bairstow (right) for loan Qatar’s F du Plessis c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 19 S Broad lbw b Morris ...... 0 T Bavuma c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 20 M Wood c du Plessis b Morris...... 6 45 runs on the second day of their second Test at Trent Bridge ground in Nottingham, V Philander c Dawson b Anderson ...... 54 J Anderson (not out) ...... 0 central England, yesterday. Afif to Kas C Morris c and b Anderson ...... 36 Extras (B4, LB10, W1) ...... 15 K Maharaj c Root b Anderson ...... 0 Total (all out) ...... 205 counter-attack to hit 78. But just took England in sight of 200 ets had fallen for just 231 runs. Eupen M Morkel c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 8 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-3, 3-86, 4-143, 5-168, 6-177, when Root looked in sight of a before falling to a wonderful There was one more to come D Olivier (not out) ...... 0 7-199, 8-199, 9-199, 10-205 third successive test century at from Maharaj which when Anderson drew an edge Extras (LB12) ...... 12 Bowling: Morkel 13-2-45-2; Philander 13-2-48-2; Mor- Trent Bridge, he fell to a loose pitched on middle and took out from Heino Kuhn and Root took Madrid Total (all out) ...... 335 ris 8.5-1-38-3; Olivier 7-0-39-0 (1w); Maharaj 10-1-21-3 shot off Morkel that gave keeper off stump. a fine low catch at slip. QNA Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-66, 3-179, 4-194, 5-220, South Africa (II innings): Quinton de Kock one of his four Moeen Ali failed to repro- The Lancashire paceman 6-235, 7-309, 8-317, 9-330, 10-335 H Kuhn c Root b Anderson ...... 8 catches. duce his batting from Lord’s and was on a high after his five first- Bowling: Anderson 23.2-6-72-5; Broad 22-4-64-3; D Elgar (bating) ...... 38 illarreal have Wood 17-3-61-0; Stokes 18-3-77-2; Dawson 7-1-26-0; H Amla (bating) ...... 23 Gary Ballance (27) had was caught in the covers for 18 innings wickets - the seventh announced reach- Ali 8-1-21-0; Jennings 1-0-2-0 Extras (LB6) ...... 6 helped him add 83 for the third off Morris, who trapped Stuart time he had reached the land- Ving an agreement England (I innings): Total (1 wkt) ...... 75 wicket before Philander forced Broad lbw next ball. mark in nine Tests at Trent with Belgian club KAS A Cook c de Kock b Philander ...... 3 Fall of wickets: 1-18 him to inside edge the ball on to By the time Morris finished Bridge - but watchful batting

Eupen for loaning Qatari K Jennings c de Kock b Morkel ...... 0 Bowling: Anderson 6-2-13-1; Broad 6-1-21-0; Wood his stumps just after lunch. off the innings on 205, having extended South Africa’s lead in striker Akram Afif (pic- G Ballance b Philander ...... 27 4-1-19-0; Ali 3-1-15-0; Stokes 2-1-1-0; Dawson 1-1-0-0 After Ben Stokes departed Mark Wood caught in the slips the Test. England are leading the tured below), which he cheaply, Jonny Bairstow (45) fending off a short ball, 14 wick- series 1-0. previously played for, on loan from Qatar’s Al Sadd. Villarreal had loaned Pay row: No the 20-year-old to One-off Test: Cremer heroics give Sporting Gijon last season. agreement on Villarreal agreed to let Afif leave on loan to Zimbabwe edge over new deal as the Belgian side, which had managed to qualify with them for the Belgian Colombo talks continue First Division, but the AFP contract did not include Sydney the right to buy the imbabwe skipper Reuters Qatari striker. Graeme Cremer claimed Zthree wickets to dent Sri ustralia’s players and the Lanka’s first innings reply on country’s governing body the second day of the one-off A have been involved in dis- Test in Colombo yesterday. cussions since Friday but have Cremer’s leg-spin and two yet to reach an agreement on a crucial run outs left Sri Lanka new Memorandum of Under- reeling at 293-7 at stumps. standing (MoU), the Australian Asela Gunaratne (24) and Ran- Cricketers’ Association (ACA) gana Herath (5) were at the said yesterday. crease with the hosts still trail- Australia’s “A” tour of South ing Zimbabwe by 63 runs. Africa has fallen victim to the Gunaratne, who came drawn-out pay dispute with the down the batting order at squad deciding not to travel in number eight after sustaining the absence of a revised deal. a hamstring injury while field- With talks between the union ing, put up sturdy resistence and the governing body dead- Yasser joins in the final few overs of the locked, around 230 players were day. left effectively unemployed Zimbabwe’s captain Graeme Cremer (second right) celebrates with his team-mates after Al Sadd in a “The wicket has got drier when the previous five-year and the leg-spinner (Cremer) he dismissed Sri Lanka’s during the Second day of their one-off Test agreement expired at the end of is taking lot of turn. We have match at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, yesterday. last month. 3-year deal to bat well and we need to “The ACA confirms that make sure that we get to 350,” Mendis caught behind for 11 effort came after he got Zim- first over after lunch, ending agreement has not been reached Doha said Herath, who had taken before tea, struck twice in the babwe’s first breakthrough in an 84-run opening for a new MoU,” the union said QNA five wickets to help dismiss final session of play to put the Dimuth Karunaratne (25) in his partnership. in a statement with its Chief Zimbabwe for 356. hosts in trouble at 238-6. Executive Alistair Nicholson, l Sadd yesterday “We had a good start, but , who SCOREBOARD calling for urgency in negotia- announced the signing they fought back well. We are made a gritty 33 with 2 fours tions with the players already Zimbabwe (I innings): Sri Lanka (I innings): of Yasser Abu Bakr for still behind by 63 runs and we and as many sixes, was run out unemployed for two weeks. A H Masakadza c Mendis B Herath ...... 19 D Karunaratne c Masakadza b Tiripano ...... 25 3 seasons from El Jaish Club. need to knock off that deficit,” after hesitating on a single R Chakabva b Herath ...... 12 U Tharanga run out (Tiripano) ...... 71 At the heart of the acrimo- Yasser Abubaker signed Herath told reporters. with his hamstrung partner T Musakanda c Dickwella b Kumara ...... 6 K Mendis c Chakabva b Cremer ...... 11 nious dispute is Cricket his contracts with Al Sadd in Top Sri Lankan batsmen Gunaratne. C Ervine c Perera b Kumara ...... 160 D Chandimal c Chakabva b Cremer ...... 55 Australia’s insistence that the the presence of the Director faltered against Cremer’s wily Another unlucky run out S Williams c Gunaratne b Perera ...... 22 A Mathews c Masakadza b Williams ...... 41 two-decade-old model, under General of the club Turki wrist spinners including cap- early in the innings saw the S Raza lbw b Herath ...... 36 N Dickwella b Cremer ...... 6 which players get a fixed per- Nasser Al Ali and Mohammed tain Dinesh Chandimal falling back of opening batsman Upul P Moor c Kumara b Gunaratne ...... 19 D Perera run out ...... 33 centage of revenue, should be M Waller b Herath ...... 36 A Gunaratne (batting) ...... 24 Ghulam Al Balushi, sports to his opposite number after a Tharanga, who gave Sri Lanka G Cremer b Gunaratne ...... 13 jettisoned. R Herath (batting) ...... 5 director of the club. well-made 55. a solid start with his brisk D Tiripano c Karunaratne b Herath ...... 27 Cricket Australia believes Yasser Abubaker has Chandimal’s wicket ended 71-run knock. C Mpofu (not out) ...... 0 Extras (B8, LB10, W1, NB3) ...... 22 the revenue-share model is played more than 114 games a 96-run stand for the fourth Tharanga fell short of his Extras (W1, NB5) ...... 6 Total (7 wkts) ...... 293 unfit for modern times and is for Al Sailiya and El Jaish in wicket with Angelo Mathews crease while backing up to a Total (all out) ...... 356 Still to bat: S Lakmal, L Kumara starving grass-roots cricket of Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-38, 3-38, 4-70, 5-154 Fall of wickets: 1-84, 2-107, 3-116, 4-212, 5-226, the Qatar Stars League, along (41), who quit the captaincy straight drive by Chandimal 6-238, 7-274 funding, while players say it has with his participation in the this week after Sri Lanka’s loss as the ball grazed past the fin- (Raza), 6-195, 7-260, 8-282, 9-356, 10-356 underpinned the game’s growth Bowling: Lakmal 14-1-58-0, Kumara 17.4-2-68-2 Bowling: Mpofu 11-2-41-0 (w1); Tiripano 10-1-38-

Asian Champions League and in the one-day series against gers of paceman Donald (w1); Herath 32-4-116-5; Perera 24-0-86-1 (nb1), 1; Raza 18-2-60-0; Cremer 30-3-100-3 (nb1); Waller and prosperity over the past 20 with Qatar in qualifying for Zimbabwe. Tiripano. Gunaratne 7-0-28-2 (nb4) 1-0-2-0, Williams 13-1-34-1 (nb2) years. the 2018 World Cup. Cremer, who had got Kusal Tiripano’s lucky fielding SUNDAY 16 JULY 2017 SPORT 23 Federer faces Cilic for 8th Wimbledon title

London CILIC V FEDERER another chance to go foror numnumberber eigeightht Reuters HEAD-TO-HEAD now, to be kind of so closeose now at this stage, is a great feeling.g. lready one of the greatest “I am unbelievably excited. I hope sportsmen of his era, Head-to-head record for today’s Wimbledon I can play one moree good match. Roger Federer will become final between Marin Cilic and Roger Federer Eleven finals here, all these records, the most successful man (year, tournament, surface, round, winner, it’s great. But it doesn’tn’t give me the in Wimbledon history if he score): title quite yet. That’s whyhy I came here canA beat Croatian Marin Cilic in today’s Federer leads 6-1 this year. I’m so close now,now, so I have final and claim an unprecedented 2016 Wimbledon: (Grass) QF Federer 6-7 just got to stay focused.”d.” eighth men’s singles title. (4/7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-3 Cilic, the first Croatianatian to appear The Swiss, level with Britain’s Wil- 2014 US Open: (Hard) SF Cilic 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a Wimbledon singlesles final since liam Renshaw and American Pete 2014 Toronto: (Hard) R16 Federer 7-6 (7/5), Goran Ivanisevic triumphedmphed in 2001, Sampras on seven titles, is rejuvenated is looking to become thee first man from 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 after taking a six-month break last his country to win multipleultiple year and enters the final as the clear 2012 Shanghai: (Hard) QF Federer 6-3, 6-4 grand slams. favourite having not dropped a set in 2011 US Open: (Hard) R32 Federer 6-3, 4-6, In seven meetingsngs the tournament. 6-4, 6-2 with the tall Croat, Fed-ed- Add in the fact he has been almost 2011 Monte Carlo: (Clay) R16 Federer 6-4, 6-3 erer has lost just once - in unstoppable this season, winning four 2008 Paris: (Hard) R16 Federer 6-3, 6-4 the semi-final of the 2014014 of the six events he had entered - U.S. Open when Cilic wwentent including an 18th grand slam title at on to win the title. the Australian Open in January - many tournament,” Federer said after In last year’s Wimbledonmbledon pundits and rivals believe Federer is another vintage performance dealt quarter-final, Federer nneededeeded five playing some of his best tennis this with Czech Tomas Berdych in the sets and saved three matchmatch pointspoints to year. semi-final. get past Cilic and that sshouldhould ggiveive the While Cilic will be contesting his “All my dreams came true here as Croatian some hope. firstfirst finalfinal at thethe All EnglandEngland Club,Club, thisthis a pplayer.layer. TToo “I was one pointpoint awayaway fromfrom win-win- wwillill bebe a recordrecord 11th11th appearanceappearance hahavev e ningning a matcmatchh over hhereere againstagainst hhim.im. forfor Federer and,and, less than a Definitely I believe in my own abili-abili- mmonthonth short of his 36th ties to get through andand to win it,” the bbirthday,irthday, hhee is tthehe ooldestldest 28-year-old28-year-old saidsaid aafterfter beatingbeating Amer- WimbledonWimbledon finalistfinalist since ican Sam Querrey in thethe semis.semis. KenKen RRosewallosewall finishedfinished “But I still know that it’sit’s a bigbig momoun-un runner-up in 1974 aged taintain to climb. Roger is playing maybe 39. somesome of the best tennis of his Should he tri- ccareerareer at the moment,moment, uumph,mph, Federer will havinghaving a great season.season. becobecomeme tthehe ooldestldest SoSo I know it’s goinggoing wwinnerinner ooff tthehe CChal-hal- toto be a huge chal-chal- Roger Federer is looking to lengelenge Cup since tennis lenge.lenge. But I bag his eighth Wimbledon turnedturned pprofessionalrofessional in bebelievelieve I’I’mm men’s singles title today. 1968.1968. ready”.ready”. “It“It mmakesakes meme reallyreally happy, makingmaking historyhistory herehere at Federer’s path from Wim-WiWim-m bledon.bll ede ono . It’s a bigbig deal.deall. I love thithiss ‘Mr Angry’ to ‘Mr Perfect’

London years Peter Carter was killed in a car AFP crash in South Africa. Cilic the From that point on, the multi-lin- rom racquet-smashing enfant gual Federer committed himself to terrible with a bad attitude and winning in style, with grace and not Fill-advised ponytail to univer- dictated to by his inner demons. marathon man sally respected sporting role model Born on August 8, 1981 in Basel, Croatia’s Marin Cilic and modern icon, Roger Federer has to Swiss father Robert and South Afri- is in his maiden ilic beat Sam QuerreyQuerrey in four sets on FridFridayay to reach his first Wimbledon final, a victoryvictory come a long, long way. can mother Lynette, Federer started thatthat was a sprint finish compared to his 20201212 third round success aagainstgainst the Ameri- Wimbledon Fourteen years after winning his playing tennis at eight. C can at the All EnglandEngland Club. It took Cilic five hours and 31 minutes that day, the second first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, He won his first ATP title in Milan final. longestlongest match in Wimbledon historyhistory after John Isner’s 20102010 epic againstagainst Nicolas Mahut.Mahut. Federer stands on the verge of an his- in 2001 and has racked up trophies DOPING BAN toric eighth All England Club triumph every year since with the exception The Croatian was given a nine-month ban in 2013 after the International Tennis Federation said traces and 19th major. of 2016 when he shut down his sea- OLDEST CHAMPIONS of banned stimulant nikethamide were found in a sample he gave at a tournament in Munich. Cilic claimed Victory over Marin Cilic today son after a semi-final loss at IN SPORT the failed test was a result of taking over-the-counter glucose tablets, but argued only a by-product of the would also make the 35-year-old Wimbledon. banned substance had been found. He took his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the ban was the oldest man to triumph on the That extended rest, to recover SERENA WILLIAMS reduced to four months famed grass courts tucked away in from a knee injury, led to his 2017 Serena won this year’s Australian FAMILY MATTERS the plush suburbs of south-west renaissance with a refreshed Federer Open t the age of 35 years and 125 days, Cilic credits his older brother Vinko for learning how to play tennis. “I started tennis with my older brother London. winning his 18th major at the Aus- beating her own record of 34 years and Vinko when our father brought us to a tennis club. Vinko was already too old to start to play tennis at 12, but “2003 feels like ages ago, tralian Open. 287 days when she captured the 2016 I was at proper age to start,” Cilic said. Two years later Cilic had shown so much promise he left his home town because of the ponytail, the beard, In his career, he has been at the Wimbledon title. of Medjugorje to move to Zagreb for better training opportunities. whatever, you name it. This one is top of the pile for 302 weeks. different,” said the Swiss star after Federer also has seven Wimble- JULIUS BOROS downing Tomas Berdych to reach his dons -- a mark he shares with America’s Boros is golf’s oldest major An eighth Wimbledon victory for Roger Federer would set an outright 11th Wimbledon final. Sampras -- five US Opens and a sin- winner, capturing the 1968 PGA Cham- record, which he currently shares with Pete Sampras and 19th-century Many other things have changed gle French Open. pionship at the age of 48. Boros player William Renshaw. Standing in his way is Marin Cilic, who beat for Federer since that Centre Court He has won 26 Masters, a 2008 succeeded golf’s previous leading golden Federer on his way to winning the U.S. Open in 2014 triumph over Mark Philippoussis in Olympic doubles gold medal with oldie Jerry Barber who won the 1961 PGA 2003. close friend Stan Wawrinka and a title at the age of 45. Marin Roger On court, his successes have Davis Cup victory for Switzerland in Tom Watson, at the age of 59, came Cilic CRO Federer SUI brought him more than $100m in 2014. close to smashing Boros’s record in 2009 prize money and 92 career titles. Had he not competed in the same HEAD-TO-HEAD when he led for most of the final round Off it, he is the father of two sets era as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djok- of the British Open before losing in a W1 6 wins of twins, Myla Rose and Charlene ovic, his trophy collection could have play-off. Riva and Leo and Lenny with wife been more impressive -- he has lost ROUTE TO FINAL Mirka, a former player he met at the nine finals at the majors to his two BERNARD HOPKINS P. Kohlschreiber R1 A. Dolgopolov 2000 Olympics in Sydney. great rivals. US fighter Hopkins became boxing’s But his career and life wasn’t His stunning longevity has seen oldest world champion in March 2013 F. Mayer R2 D. Lajovic always so settled. him play 101 matches at Wimbledon, when, at the age of 48, he defeated Tavoris S. Johnson R3 M. Zverev As a talented young player, Fed- 100 in Melbourne, 89 at the US Open Cloud for the IBF light heavyweight title. R. Bautista Agut R4 G. Dimitrov erer’s on-court tantrums and and 81 at Roland Garros. G. Muller QF M. Raonic hair-trigger temper once threatened Win or lose today, Federer says he RAY REARDON S. Querrey SF T. Berdych to stunt his progress. has not set any date for retiring from the Reardon was 45 when he won the 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 “I had a tough time getting my sport. world snooker title in 1978. It was his sixth act together out on court, trying to “It’s just discussions I always have WIMBLEDON RECORD GRAND SLAM BEST WIMBLEDON RECORD and final world championship triumph. behave properly. For me that was a with my wife about the family, about 2016 15 14 13 S-final Australian Open 5 wins 2016 15 14 13 big deal,” he admitted. my kids, is everybody happy on tour, ERIK GUAY QF QF QF R2 Q-final Roland Garros Won 2009 SF F F R2 Federer famously defeated Pete are we happy to pack up and go on Canada’s Guay won this year’s world First appearance Final Wimbledon 7 wins Victory would take Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 but tour for five, six, seven weeks. Are we skiing championships super-G at St. in Wimbledon Won 2014 U.S. Open 5 wins Grand Slam tally was knocked out in the first round willing to do that?,” he said. Moritz at the record age of 35 to add to final, at 11th to 19, four clear the following year. “For the time being, it seems like his 2011 downhill world title. attempt 17ATP titles 92 of nearest rival Just when he turned 21, his coach absolutely no problem, which is Source: ATP Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS and close friend from his formative wonderful.”